There can be only one...jacket that is.

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks for all the responses.

Seriously, I think all your answers (each addressing it from different angles) only makes me want ALL the possible jackets!! Of course, my lovely wife may not like that as much as I would...

I do appreciate your taking the time to respond to my question.

[Jock Scot]

You will make your own mind up and what you decide is your privilege. Just so you know, whilst a black barathea silver buttoned Argyle is indeed worn with a black tie and very effective it is. In fact it also serves, more commonly, the purpose(certainly in Scotland)as the most formal of formal day wear-------morning coat equivalent. It is also true to say that many pipe bands have adopted it in fairly recent years too.

[Spartan Tartan]

You will make your own mind up and what you decide is your privilege. Just so you know, whilst a black barathea silver buttoned Argyle is indeed worn with a black tie and very effective it is. In fact it also serves, more commonly, the purpose(certainly in Scotland)as the most formal of formal day wear-------morning coat equivalent. It is also true to say that many pipe bands have adopted it in fairly recent years too.

Thanks Jock. Your advice/comments/insights are especially welcome. As with everyone's comments the extra information will help with a better and more thoughtful decision.

Jeremy

[azwildcat96]

I'll only add that I chose to purchase a black barathea PC jacket and waistcoat as a first kilt jacket, and while I have worn it a few times, I do wish that I had other options. Until I decide to add an argyle, or tweed jacket (with or without a waistcoat) to my kilt accessory collection, I will have to stick with sweaters to dress up my collared shirts and ties.

As Jock put it, you will have to make up your own mind...

[Tim Little]

My first jacket was a PC, bought specifically to wear at my wedding (though I've certainly had occasion to wear it at other black-tie events since then).

My other jacket is a navy barathea Braemar, which while serviceable in less-than-black-tie situations, is really too close to the PC. I bought it with the idea that would serve the same purpose as a the ubiquitous blue blazer. It really doesn't.

In retrospect I would have probably been better off w. a tweed Argyll of some sort -- and in fact that's a top item on my current Wish List.

[Lime]

I've often thought that a dark blue medium weight tweed jacket with dark buttons would be an ideal "jack of all trades" jacket...

[Dale Seago]

I've often thought that a dark blue medium weight tweed jacket with dark buttons would be an ideal "jack of all trades" jacket...

Something like that was in my own mind too, as I seldom if ever will bother with a truly formal event -- if I do, I'll rent a PC locally just as I might a tuxedo. For everything else, I have a Harris tweed Argyll jacket, Crail cuffs/no epaulettes, with waistcoat if I feel the need, in this color via the Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop:






I also have a black lambskin "casual" kilt jacket from Stillwater which will do for most occasions here in the Bay Area.

[KiltedDixon]

Spartan Tartan,

Greetings from your southern neighbor. I too am in the market for one all-purpose
Jacket. The replies to your post are very helpful. Thanks.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

As Jock Scot and others have said, the most economical kilt jacket to own is an Argyll jacket in black barathea. What you want to do is order it with a three-button waistcoat so that it can be worn with black tie. For some reason (probably because they can get away with it) these waistcoats cost a bomb. Okay. So be it. The five button waistcoats also cost a bomb, but for what they cost you could have your silver buttons made interchangeable with black leather knotted buttons by a local tailor/seamstress/alteration shop, pick up a black wool five button waistcoat at your local thrift store, and still have enough cash left over for a Dr. Pepper and a package of Twinkies. (Dr. Pepper and Twinkies? Perhaps I've been in America too long...)

Even without changing the buttons, an Argyll is the only jacket that is appropriate for both day wear, evening wear, and formal evening wear simply by changing your tie.

[pauljsharp]

Wow, I am in the same situation and in just purchased my first kilt jacket. I personally decided to go with the gray tweed jacket as I do not plan on going to many "black tie" events and could easily rent an argyll or pc.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...onesing-63467/

Above is the link to my thread and a link therein to the jacket I purchased.